Tragic details emerge of last moments of man swept away in torrent

A 61-year-old man who died in floodwaters in northern NSW has been identified as Tom Cook, who neighbours say clung desperately to a tree branch after his ute was swept away.

Cook, also known as “Cookie,” lived alone with his dog on Richards Road in Megan, north-east of Dorrigo.

Cook was swept away on Friday. Police say a man’s body was found about 4.30pm on Saturday.

A wide-scale search was launched after Cook’s ute was swept off the Wild Cattle Creek Bridge at Megan on Friday.

Cook was able to get out of the ute and climbed onto a tree near the riverbank, but emergency personnel were unable to reach him before he was swept away. Police say a man’s body was found nearby about 4.30pm on Saturday.

Cook’s former neighbour Emma Hohnen said a colleague tried to help Cook as he clung desperately onto a branch but could not save him.

Hohnen described Cook as a friendly man who kept to himself and enjoyed woodcraft as a hobby.

About six months ago, Hohnen moved away from Megan to the nearby town of Bellingen. But she saw Cook as recently as last weekend.

“I burst into tears from the shock when I heard what happened to him,” Hohnen said.

“Just last weekend, he came over to say, ‘Hey, how are you going?’ He was very friendly and always popped out for a chat.”

Cook is the first person to have died as a result of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier commented on the “tragic news,” saying his thoughts were with the man’s loved ones and community at this heartbreaking time.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

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